Just heat ONE room: Shocking scandal of Government's crazy winter advice to the elderly

MILLIONS of older people struggling to pay their energy bills should heat just one room in the day to get through the winter, new advice says today.

Millions of pensioners have been told to heat just a single room in their home throughout winter [MOMENT/GETTY]

The official guidance tells the elderly to warm the living room and then their bedroom at night – and use a hot water bottle.

Other tips include wearing slippers with lots of thin layers of clothes to keep out the cold with regular hot meals and drinks through the day.

The new advice suggests the elderly heat their homes to at least 64.4F (18C) to protect their health.

But angry campaigners for the rights of older people say many are forced to choose whether to “heat or eat” as bills soar.

Last year’s cold weather saw 31,100 excess deaths – or around 260 a day, mainly among over-75s. Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said: “It is shocking that each winter an older person dies every seven minutes from cold weather.

“Turning up the heating is not an option for many older people struggling with high energy bills.”

Dot Gibson, National Pensioners’ Convention general secretary, said: “Every year, we get the same sort of message from public health officials. But the number of older people dying from cold-related illnesses is on the rise.

Putting on an extra jumper or walking around a bit more than usual doesn’t really address the fact that fuel bills continue to go up way in excess of people’s pensions

Dot Gibson

“Putting on an extra jumper or walking around a bit more than usual doesn’t really address the fact that fuel bills continue to go up way in excess of people’s pensions. Warm words are nice – but a warm home is better.”

The average rip-off household energy bill is now £1,265 a year, £53 more than a year ago. Yet the basic state pension is just £113.10 a week for a single person and only £226 a week for a couple.

The average single elderly person relying on the state pension would have just £12.64 left to spend each day on food and other essentials after paying their energy bill.

Paul Green, of the over-50s campaign group Saga, said: “There are a significant number of pensioners who face the unenviable decision as to whether to heat or eat and that has a terrible effect on people’s health.

“Energy companies face both economic and moral questions when you look at the profits they make and who they make their money from.” The new official advice to the elderly comes from Public Health England, the Local Government Association and NHS England.

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It urges the community at large to look out for their elderly neighbours during the winter months, for instance spotting whether milk bottles have been left outside, a possible sign that someone is ill and unable to get to the door.

The old are also urged to keep active to help stay warm as well as to get the annual flu jab.

Dr Angie Bone, head of extreme events and health protection at Public Health England, said: “Every winter thousands of people die from a range of health conditions many of which can be linked to cold weather.

“The sad thing is many of these deaths are preventable through relatively simple measures.”

But Peter Smith, spokesman for fuel poverty charity National Energy Action, said: “Every year we talk about the need to address the preventable suffering caused by fuel poverty in this country. However, this never seems to result in urgent additional assistance.”

Daniel Alchin, a spokesman for Energy UK, said: “No one should be afraid to put their heating on this winter.”

Help is available for the elderly and those worried about their bill should contact their energy company or call the Home Heat Helpline on 0800 336699.